NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team out-hit Chestnut Hill in each end of the doubleheader, but the defense let the Wildcats down as the Griffins came away with the 13-8 and 6-3 sweep on Friday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Being stuck in the field hurt the Wildcats (16-12) as the Griffins (12-9-1) collected big innings in each game to come away with the victories. It was a six run fourth inning, aided by one error, in the first game that carried the Griffins before a three-run first inning, aided by two errors, propelled the Griffins in the nightcap.
The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead in the opener, scoring three times during their first at-bat. Rocky Ferrier started the inning by being hit in the ankle but was able to trot around the bases as Max Carney blasted his second homer of the season to right for the quick 2-0 lead. Logan Gilbert restarted the inning with a walk and raced all the way home from first on a Julian Kurych double to right center.
The Wildcats took a 5-1 lead with a pair of runs in the third, scoring on an error before Frank Nigro knocked in Kyle Fries with a sacrifice fly to right field.
But the Griffins came back in the top of the fourth, scoring six runs on four hits and the help of a Wildcat error. Chestnut Hill capped the inning with a bases clearing three-run double to move ahead, 7-5. The Griffins would tack on a single run in the fifth, two more in the sixth, and three more in the seventh.
The Wildcats tried to make a late-game comeback, but could only manage two runs in the bottom of the eighth Logan Gilbert scored on a wild pitch before Nick Macey knocked in Kyle Fries. But they would leave two runners on in the inning, totaling 12 for the opener. They were hurt by four errors in the game as well.
The Griffins scored three runs in the top of the first inning in the nightcap without securing a hit. A walk, a hit by pitch, and a throwing error brought in the first run before an RBI groundout made it 2-0. Another error brought in the innings' final run to put the Wildcats behind, 3-0, before they even came to the plate.
The Wildcats loaded the bases without recording an out in the bottom of the first but only scratched one run across on a ground ball double play.
Game two starter Brad Scull didn't give up a hit until the fourth inning as he went five innings with six strikeouts. He walked four while allowing three runs, one earned, with only the one hit.
But the Griffins scored three more in the top of the sixth to extend the lead out to 6-1. Nick Macey started the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff single and Rocky Ferrier kept the inning alive with a two-out RBI single. Ferrier's wheels produced the Wildcats' third run, as he stole a bag and scurried home on a wild pitch.
The Wildcats left seven men on base in the nightcap while four more errors kept them in the field longer than they needed to be.
The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action tomorrow as they head to Dominican for a doubleheader. Saturday's action begins with a 12:00 p.m. first pitch.
